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Abraham Lincoln Research Paper

Decent Essays

Theodore Mesa
Kara Carroll
History 1161-203
30 November 2014
Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America Abraham Lincoln, as considered by most, one of the most influential presidents the United States has seen. But for honest Abe to reach that status one must look at his rise to political prominence, and the methods he used and skills he gained on his road to presidency. Just like any other president elected before his time, Abraham Lincoln faced a variety of challenges throughout his election campaign but more importantly through his short term as the President of the United States. Examining where he failed but also succeed, earning his status as a predominant president. Through William E. Gienapp’s biography “Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America”, …show more content…

Gienapp dissects and discusses Lincoln’s odd approach as to how he ran his office and who he chose to be in his presidential cabinet. Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet included all of his rivals for the Republican nomination: William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Simon Cameron, and Edward Bates, including his military commander, General George McClellan. Lincoln believed that the war must become a revolution, and move towards emancipation. He looked for a war that needs to be fought harder than some of the generals he elected wanted. Lincoln later found his military commander; Ulysses S. Grant, who would attack the south in an aggressive manner and total war. Grant not only attacked the Confederate army, but also went after the South’s economy. Lincoln and Grant thought that by destroying the South’s economy, cities, farms, and factories, which it would also eliminate their will to fight. Abraham’s election to presidency was what prompted the secession of the south. Through his meetings and talks with Fredrick Douglas, Abe Lincoln saw that African Americans could be equal to the rest, leading to him issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, stating that all slaves in the Confederate territories were free. Abraham Lincoln also allowed blacks to fight for the north and the Union

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